Wingfoiling - Progression in the first 10 hours (Gong HIPE First 5’11 kit)

I've ventured into the exciting world of wing foiling, eager to share my journey and insights.
As a 37-year-old male with a background in surfing and windsurfing, I thought I had a head start, but my initial experiences were challenging.
In my first two sessions, I struggled with the foil and wing, feeling like I made no progress and often drifting downwind. It's a physically demanding sport, as my heart rate averaged 140-150.
However, by my third session, things started to click. I gained control, extended my foil flights, and even reached speeds of 25-30 kilometers per hour. Stronger winds added to my stability.
After about seven hours on the water in my fifth session, I could stay on the foil for extended periods, and wing foiling transformed from an impossible task to an exciting adventure. I began experimenting with turns and glides, mastering going upwind and returning to my starting point.
While physically demanding with an average heart rate of 150, the progress was undeniable. In just four to six sessions, I transitioned from a frustrated beginner to a wing foiling enthusiast. With a top speed of around 30 kilometers per hour and increasing distances covered, it's an incredibly rewarding journey.
If you're considering trying wing foiling, I highly recommend it. Expect initial challenges, but the fun and progress come quickly. Even with a beginner kit, it's worth every second. So, get out there and enjoy the ride!
Gear used: GONG HIPE Firtst 5'11 package, with wings: 4m2 and 5m2.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
0:16 - Session 1
1:35 - Session 2
1:56 - Session 3
3:40 - Session 5
5:44 - Session 6

[@Bham67]

Thank you. I'm 56 years old and want to learn how to wing this summer. I was curious what to expect and this is helpful. I've done water skiing and snowboarding in the past...maybe that will help a small amount. Seems about like learning to ride a bike or play guitar....very frustrating at first, but if you keep trying it doesn't take long for it to start becoming fun.

[@djscottyb_texas]

I am 55 years old and ordered my 1st foil setup 2 days ago. I can't wait to get it, but I hope I have the endurance to pull it off. I have surfed, I still skateboard, water ski, roller blade and hope these things will come into play. I also sail with a Hobie Adventure Island sail kayak so I know how to work the wind. Thanks for setting my expectations.

[@simon-surf]

Hi Scott. Based on the activities that you already do I would for sure reckon that you will be able to learn winging foiling, with a fast pace! I wish you the best progression into this fantastic sport. Btw. I just had session number 30, and I can tell you that unless you keep pushing yourself in new environment such as swell and waves, it will get a lot easier on the body. I started exploring sailing with a harness after session 15 also. I think I could get through entire sessions with a heart rate of 120-140 bpm in average.

[@djscottyb_texas]

@@simon-surf Thanks for the comment. I added the harness to my order when I placed it. I figured less stress on my upper body. I'll post my progress when I get it next week. I am in North Texas so no surf for me. Just lakes for now.

[@CWIno1]

😊 Super video Simon .. 😁 Jeg har lige erhvervet sådan et Gong HIPE First 5’11 og det er kanon at se det ikke er helt umuligt at komme i gang med TAK 😃...og som dig har jeg surfet i en del år så jeg glæder mig til at komme i gang 😃 kan være vi ses der ude

[@TylerKaraszewski]

This is a good video. I remember going through the same thing. I could kitefoil before I started wingfoiling, and so once I got up on foil, it was not too hard, and very similar to kitefoiling, but the water start was very difficult. Now I'm doing the whole process over with dock starting.

[@simon-surf]

Thank you so much for your comment. I’m wondering, how is the dock start coming at all? Is it hard to learn compared to wing foiling?

[@TylerKaraszewski]

@@simon-surf I've put up some videos. I feel it's harder to learn at first than wingfoiling, but if you stick with it you'll start to make progress after a few sessions.

[@kenholmdal]

Fedt at se. Tak fordi du deler. Har selv samme begynder setup. Nogen lunde samme begyndelse for mig men fik en skade (på land) efter træning som satte en stopper for min træning. Håber snart at kunne komme igang igen med session 4 😊

[@simon-surf]

Jeg synes det er et rigtig godt setup at starte på! Og i forhold til windsurfing, hvor jeg fylder en hel bil med boards, sejl, master og 1000 småting, er det ret fedt blot at tage afsted med en taske i bagagerummet. Øv med skaden! Håber hurtigt du får mulighed for at genoptage. Der går også lidt lang tid imellem mine sessioner på grund af små børn og travlhed, men synes nu ikke at det har påvirket fremgang i mellem sessions.

[@kenholmdal]

Har nu fundet ud af at mit udstræk medførte til en blodåre kollapsede. Gudskelov har jeg trænet det op så jeg kan wingfoil igen. Har lige bestilt en curve xxl

[@martynholder1971]

Simon, you look great, l have many years of windsurfing and 16 years of kitesurfing. But have failed so far with winging. The biggest problem is the time between sessions in your video you said how many hours out but not over how many months, my water is a sailing club on a reservoir that never gets good wind, and its at least 90 miles to any other water none being learner safe

[@simon-surf]

Absolutely agree! Time between sessions is a big factor. My 6 sessions has taken place over a period of 2 months approximately. The last 3 session within 2 weeks 😀

[@CroLarus]

Nice videos! Is it Rise or X-Over and what size? Just for fun...do you think it is possible to somehow "strap on" WS base on board and lift sail-will board survive load or it is too soft...and, do you think 6.6 will be better for this? (We have same weight and WS skill) (Of course, I'm not speaking about serious WS foiling...just to try it...)

[@CP-or5xm]

Compliments Simon!!! I also have a Gong First, but in size 5.7 and only rode on my knees in the first session. Which spot are you wingfoiling on the sea or lake?

[@simon-surf]

Sea :)

[@alvarolorenzo3728]

Hola Simón, gracias por compartir tu experiencia. Estoy interesado en un equipo gong como el tuyo. Tengo unas preguntas: - Peso 86kg, crees que una tabla de 5,5 y wing de 5m es suficiente? Es la oferta que tienen en gong. Pero no se si comprar por separado... - Crees que es mejor con footstraps? Gracias 🤗

[@qixace]

Comprate la tabla 5.11 to peso 70 y compre la 5.5

[@volkerzdun8762]

Hi Simon which Garmin watch do you have? Great Videos for beginners 🤙

[@simon-surf]

🙏🏻 thanks! I have Garmin Fenix 7 SS edition 🤙🏻

[@bensens]

Fino. video. Kan se af nogen af de første sessions er Blå Flag Ebeltoft samt hullet. Utroligt så hurtigt du kom i gang. /Bensen

[@simon-surf]

Yes, 2 sessioner i Ebeltoft og 4 ved Hullet. Jeg tror dette begyndersæt har været det helt rigtige for mig. Boardet er stabil, og det hele hænger godt sammen størrelsesmæssigt. Jeg læser med på din blog, og overvejer om jeg også skal kaste mig over lidt windfoil, som jeg aldrig har prøvet. Eller om det ikke rigtig har sin plads hvis man windsurfer og wingfoiler? Hvad tænker du?

[@bensens]

Min plan er WIND-foil i let vind, og WING i højere, men kun haft en session,- også grundet skade/Bensen@@simon-surf

[@martinweinberger9158]

Helle.. do 5m2 Meter is enough?

[@simon-surf]

Depends on your weight and the wind strength - and the front wing size. 5m2 is a good starting point for a my weight I would say 😀